Thursday, 17 November 2011 10:50
Lanka News Web

Outgoing Sri Lanka Cricket chief Upali Dharamadasa has chartered a plane from UK to import an Aston Martin as a gift to heir to King Mahinda, Namal Rajapaksha.

The luxury gift is Upali’s way of thanking Sri Lanka’s official president in waiting, Namal, for allowing him to be "elected" as the head of Sri Lanka Cricket uncontested.

Sports Minister in paper Mahindananda has been ordered by Namal, the actual sports minister, not to allow any other candidate including Thilanga Sumathipala to contest paving the way for Upali Dharmadasa to be crowned as “elected” chief of Sri Lanka Cricket.

Upali’s brother, Jayantha, will also be forced not to contest.

The new Aston Martin was brought to Colombo on Wednesday by Upali to fulfil Prince Namal’s wishes despite the fact that the playboy prince already has one Aston Martin in his procession.

Although Sri Lanka Cricket is running with serious debts and has not paid staff and cricketers’ salaries for months, Upali is planning to make a huge commission when the new contract for television rights with Ten Sports will be signed at the end of the year.

It was Jayantha Dharmadasa who earlier took playboy prince Namal with him to Dubai when the previous contract was signed with Ten Sports.

Jayantha who expected to be once again appointed as Sri Lanka Cricket president by offering lavish gifts and other perks to the prince is thought to be disappointed that his own brother has outsmarted his lavish gestures to the royal family.

Having barred all candidates who might pose a threat, Namal & Upali are also planning to bring in an unknown contender to the competition just to claim legitimacy to the election in the eyes of the ICC and outside world.

It will be interesting to note the reaction of the ICC which pretends to be serious against the politicisation of sport in the sub-continent.

Last Updated on Thursday, 17 November 2011 13:02